Let's be honest : since 2017, our ability to stay focused on a task has progressively decreased, reaching an all-time low. We're easily distracted and addicted to endorphins, to the point that "digital detox" has been trending on Google for a few years. But don't worry, this isn't one of those preachy articles: I'm the first one to be affected. I scroll through my feed like the most avid climber, I know every TikTok reference, and when it comes to recognizing a trend, I feel like the Catman from Sarabande .
Like many, in January 2024 I wrote down among my resolutions the idea of reducing my screen time. With a bit of luck and commitment, I managed to stick to my schedule, and I confess, a decisive factor was the time I devoted to puzzles .
But let me tell you straight: doing a puzzle won't save your life . If you expect to open a box and immediately immerse yourself in four hours of placing pieces without checking your phone, forget it. At first, it took me weeks to finish my first puzzle . I was constantly distracted and couldn't sustain my attention for more than 15 minutes. Today, however, I can dedicate myself to long sessions, with my phone relegated to a distant memory. Puzzles have become my little desert island: a place where no one can reach me and where being online isn't even an option.
The " hard digital and social detox ," where you uninstall social media, read only the newspaper, and go back to a flip phone, is a fascinating idea. But in practice, it's only a temporary exercise: it begins, it ends, and it's not sustainable in the long term.
So, what do you do? There are activities that require concentration and help you rediscover the value of disconnecting from the world, even if just for a few hours. For me, puzzles were a revelation , but they're not the only option. Reading a book, cooking an elaborate recipe, knitting: anything that requires a little dedication can help. The first step is showing yourself that you can resist immediately checking that reel your best friend sent you.
In short, doing a puzzle can really help you: it helps you disconnect from the digital world , feel more present, and carve out some time just for yourself. I won't promise it will magically cure your social media addiction, but it can become an important ally for your mental well-being. But before you start one, do one thing: put your phone on charge in another room (better yet, close the door).
Give puzzles a try – you might even discover they can become your own little desert island.
